Can you help me with Haiku punctuation?

Question:Are there any rules for punctuating Haikus? Should they be written as one sentence or several? How about capitalization? I've had a few comments with regard to the above and don't claim to be an expert in this poetic form.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Are there any rules for punctuating Haikus? Should they be written as one sentence or several? How about capitalization? I've had a few comments with regard to the above and don't claim to be an expert in this poetic form.

When you do some reading about Haiku, Japanese form, you will see that the English version is not representative exactly of what the original Japanese was. Not possible, our languages being so fundamentally different.

This gives a lot of leeway to Haiku writers (and a lot taken as well.).

Nevertheless, one rule that is usually adhered to is that there will be a dichotomy set up, usually the first two lines or image, then mirrored or argued, or whathaveyou with the last line or image (could also be first line/second two lines). Usually these will be separated by a punctuation mark, a comma or semicolon (I use a semicolon if a comma has been used anywhere else in the poem, otherwise I go with a comma).

Again, the Haiku is a Japanese form, in the Japanese language; what we write is an attempt at emulation, and a pale one at that, so rules, they are maleable.

Hope this helps.

from what I've read there is nothing regarding punctuation or capitalization. I don't think it matters. Neither does rhythm or rhyme. The only thing that does matter is subject (traditionally about nature), number of lines (3 line stanza), and syllable count (first and third lines containing five syllables and the second containing seven).

I just found something interesting. There is another poetic form called the "Senryu" which is identical to Haiku with the exception of subject. Therefore, if the poem is not about nature then it is actually a Senryu rather than a Haiku.

i dont have much idea about this...but i think, as said above, there is no specific rule regarding punctuation and capitalization. Only thing that matters is the number of syllables...

Ditto to Alobar. In addition, 'American' haikus often do not adhere to the 5-7-5 syllable count.

no rules on punctuation, you can even sip the puncutation if you want

punctuate it like you would if you were writing the entire thing on one line.

I have to agree with everyone. Keep up the great work.